What the Evolution of Search Means for Marketers

SEO and SEM are changing more rapidly than ever. Here’s how marketers can prepare for the ongoing evolution of search.
How to Protect Yourself from Shady Search Marketing

When hiring an SEO professional, ask these questions to protect yourself from “experts” that are out-of-date, misinformed, or even criminal.
Why PPC is about to skyrocket – and then CRASH

Times are tough. But one area that is ready to soar is pay-per-click search marketing (PPC). That most measurable and controllable of digital marketing opportunities, PPC looks like a no-brainer in this economy. Have you called a newspaper lately and asked them if they’ll charge you per phone call generated? Even with ad sales down […]
Customized Internet Marketing Training for Agencies
Convince & Convert launches new training program series to help agencies improve their digital capabilities Addressing the needs of ad agencies and PR firms to improve their digital marketing competency, Convince & Convert is now providing a series of customizable, in-person training programs. We are offering 5 intensive, all-day sessions to train ad agencies and […]
The Truth About Publicis Buying Performics

In a sign that major advertising agencies are continuing to recognize the long-term profitability of search marketing, Publicis Groupe bought Performics from Google today. One of the largest search marketing agencies, Performics will join Digitas and other Publicis entities as part of VivaKi Nerve Center (no, I am not making this up) the new strategic […]
Agencies Need to be Testing Landing Pages
Average length of stay on a Web site is approximately 2 minutes and 30 seconds overall. Approximate length of stay by visitors coming from search is about 10 seconds. Why the difference? Search users are less likely to know your company and its attributes in advance, and they know there are several other options available […]
91% of Top Digital Agencies Not Buying Their Own Brands on PPC

In a shocking (and embarassing) revelation today, AdWeek uncovered that of the 56 world-class digital marketing agencies featured in their Annual Report Card, just 5 are purchasing their own brand names in PPC. In fairness to the firms, most of them appear at or near the top of organic search results for their own brand […]
Google’s Popularity is Costing You Money

Paid search management vendor Covario said today that PPC spending was up 52% in Q1 2008 versus 2007. 52% is a big leap for an already red-hot digital marketing tactic. But perhaps more interesting was the finding that Google took in 85% of the paid search spend in the first quarter. (No wonder Yahoo! rushed […]
How to calculate your PPC budget and success

Q. I’m interested in pay per click search engine advertising, but I don’t know how much it will cost. Help! A. Projecting costs for pay per click can be as mysterious as Britney Spears’ career plan. Like success in Iraq, multiple factors determine your PPC budget and success level, and they are inter-related. The single […]
Search Results Go Boom: Does the Google Bomb Work?
Q. A disgruntled employee built a Web page that’s very negative about my company. Now when you search for my company’s name, his page comes up before mine. I think this is hurting my business. Is there a way I can push his page down so fewer people see it? A. Dealing with publicity from […]
Top 5 Pay Per Click Mistakes
Internet ads are not equal. On the low end of the effectiveness scale you have banner ads. The original champion of interactive marketing, standard banners are now the “ER” of the Internet – a washed up parody scratching and clawing to remain relevant. In the opposite corner you have pay-per-click advertising (PPC), the American Idol […]